Barlow's lessons
EDITOR: I can hardly wait for the Barlow development to open. Perfect for the space, perfect for Sebastopol, it pays careful attention to the history and architecture of the parcel it sits on. Even as it honors this past, it looks ahead, providing a showcase for local businesses: fabulous food, coffee, wine, art and more. This is the kind of economic engine and development that we need. And it's no accident that this development "just happened" to come along. Our community leaders fought unsuitable proposals for this property, believing that this prominent piece of real estate should reflect the values and vision of Sebastopol.
Like the Barlow property, the Pellini property is a prime parcel that ought to reflect Sebastopol's character and vision: pedestrian usage, local businesses and forward thinking. For me, this vision isn't big box, corporate, traffic clogging businesses. We can get a better project at this site.
The defining issue in our local City Council election is the CVS-Chase development downtown, and it is the issue that differentiates the candidates. We need to remember and carefully consider the lessons of Barlow when we vote. Please join me in voting for John Eder and Robert Jacob, for a prosperous and green small town.
JUDE KREISSMAN
Sebastopol
Keep on cycling
EDITOR: I read the Oct. 12 letter regarding Levi Leipheimer's suspension from pro cycling because of doping ("Forced to cheat?"). That is very sad, but it is no reason to throw out the baby with the bath water, as the saying goes, and discontinue the annual cycling event, as the writer seems to hope will happen.
There are many reasons for continuing Levi's GranFondo despite the cynical reasons given by this writer: "It brings money and publicity to the city of Santa Rosa and the county of Sonoma." The cycling event brings fun, pride and enjoyment to the people who live here as well as the people who come here for the event because they are either cyclists themselves or fans of the sport.
We should not dishonor the sport of cycling because of the transgressions of one, or even many others. There are many reasons to continue this annual event. Let's think positive.
PENNY WOLFSOHN
Santa Rosa
Right to know
EDITOR: I believe that the arguments I have read regarding Proposition 37 miss one very important point. While I am not a Luddite — and I have been consuming GMO foods for years with no apparent ill effects — I intend to vote in favor of Proposition 37, which would require the labeling of GMO raw foods.
Here is my reasoning: While I am satisfied that the GMO foods I consume are safe and healthy, and my wife and I will continue buying and eating them, I believe strongly that accurate labeling is necessary for those who want to avoid GMO foods. Truth in labeling, remember? People have a right to know what they are buying.
TOM WILSON
Petaluma
No need for districts
EDITOR: Two county supervisors endorse district elections for Santa Rosa ("Two supervisors back districts for city," Wednesday). Should they not be minding their own business? Mike Maguire doesn't live in Santa Rosa. Efren Carrillo needs to consider that 30 years ago, most of west and southwest Santa Rosa was unincorporated. History does not reflect the present and should be acknowledged as such. Where are they getting their information?
I believe that districting is a ploy by special interest groups pushing candidates who, for whatever reason, cannot be elected based upon their positions. I don't think representation at City Hall will change. I believe the votes will become more political, more divided and less city-centered. The rancor at the council level will increase, and the morale of employees will continue to decline.
The reason it works in other areas is because the geography is huge, or there are significant ethnic centers (Chinatown, Watts). We have no such situation in Santa Rosa, neither geography nor ethnic isolation. Such arguments are based in emotion, not fact.
I used to love living in Santa Rosa. Now I'm not so sure. After 32 years, with the way the political landscape is deteriorating and taking the city I love with it, maybe it's time to move on.
MAUREEN CASEY
Santa Rosa
Proud of Analy
EDITOR: Peter Henriksen ("Sports and empathy," Letters, Wednesday) would have benefited from actually seeing the football game between Analy and El Molino high schools and not making assumptions from a headline about the score.
If he had attended, he might have seen that Analy was up 21-0 in the first quarter, at which time most of the starters were pulled. We played our back-ups for the rest of the game. If we had wanted to "pulverize" the Lions, we could have. Instead, we played with class, and many players who normally don't get a lot of playing time had the chance to sharpen their skills.
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